Gary Lineker's massive net worth and 'unusual' relationship with model amid latest future rumour

Gary Lineker has opened up about experiencing a "strange few days" amid rumours about his future hosting .

, 63, has presented the show for over two decades but is nearing the end of his contract with the , prompting discussion on his future with the corporation. His current deal concludes at the end of this football season.

Speculation intensified after MailOnline claimed to have seen an internal email in which Lineker's bosses were preparing for his departure from the show. The BBC refuted such suggestions quickly, while Lineker has now said that discussions over a renewal have only "just started".

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During Saturday's Match of the Day, Lineker playfully referred to the episode as his final appearance, swiftly clarifying that he merely meant "before the international break." He further addressed the topic on The Rest is Football podcast with co-hosts and .

"It's been a strange few days - as you know, like , and , I'm coming to the end of my contract in the summer, so it's natural at some point you have to have conversations, and they have just started," Lineker said. "I don't know why it all spiralled out of control. All is OK."

The corporation's annual report stated that Lineker is the BBC's top earner, taking home £1.35m in the 2023/24 financial year. This sum surpasses his closest colleague, Zoe Ball, by approximately £500,000.

His substantial net worth, estimated to be around £30m, is partly attributed to his salary, but his on-screen earnings have likely exceeded his football income. Lineker has worked with various television stations, including , NBC and Al Jazeera, following his playing career and he has also maintained a long-standing partnership with Walkers Crisps.

In his personal life, Lineker has four sons - George, Harry, Tobias, and Angus - with his ex-wife Michelle Cockayne, whom he married in 1986. The couple divorced 20 years later, citing "unreasonable behaviour".

Lineker's second marriage was to model Danielle Bux in 2009, after meeting on a blind date in 2007. However, they separated in 2016 due to differing views on having children.

Despite their split, the two have remained on amicable terms. In an interview with our sister title, The Mirror, in September 2019, Lineker explained: "Danielle and I are best mates; we still speak three times a day, and we text all the time. When she comes to London, she stays with me, and when I go to LA, I see her."

That same year, he recalled to their conversations about starting a family together: "Obviously I would have done, but she said: 'It's not fair on you.' Then I said: 'Well, I'd feel terrible if I stop you doing it.'".

Since then, Bux has married Nate Greenwald and had a daughter named Ella. Regarding Nate, Lineker told the : "He's not got a jealous bone in his body. We get on really well. We go out for dinner when I'm in LA.

"It might be unusual, and people might go: 'That's weird', but, frankly, I don't care. What is normal? Is it better to get divorced and end up fighting, screaming and shouting? Or is it better to get on if you can?"

The Leicester-born celebrity candidly discussed his relationship status with The Times last year, confirming: "I'm single. I am single. I like being on my own.

"I know it sounds a bit mad. I have lots of company. I've got lots of friends, and I've also got my boys... I don't feel lonely. I have the odd date here and there, but nothing serious in terms of a long relationship.

"I've been married most of my adult life. Two really good marriages; I'm friends with both. I'm not saying whether it'll change. It might do. I don't know. But at the moment, I'm very comfortable."